What has Scott Fitterer done right?

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, ForJimmy said:

Williams without a doubt, Maye wouldn't have enough film IMO to tell for sure.  If Sanders declares he might be a top pick as well.  Williams' father already said he might stay another year if needed which means if it's a terribly ran franchise like the Cards he might just stay at USC and collect more NIL money.

Our quarterback coach would be extremely familiar with Drake Maye.

[ForJimmy]

3 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

From the pre-draft process article about Young...

Old free agents didn't seem to be the vibe. Not after the Panthers and Reich had spent most of the last five years cycling through rentals. The obvious call was to draft one, but picking ninth, there's no guarantee. And while there were some good ones who might be available in 2024 in UNC's Maye and Southern Cal's Caleb Williams, that seemed a little far down the road.

Because as good as Young was, the Bears ended up with the first pick despite having a decent young quarterback in Justin Fields. Their pick might be available. Waiting until next year would be more of a roll of the dice.

So the Panthers turned their thoughts to the now, and how to make now work.

"We've not won a bunch of games in the last few years," Reich said. "So how many years can you go? Can you keep putting off this thing to take your shot and get your guy? And part of the calculus is, do we have enough capital to be patient for another year? And then naturally, as a coach, you know, you're always optimistic. I mean, we're at nine right now. I'm sure I'm not planning on being lower than that next year.

"I mean, everybody knows, you always have to be playing that game. You're not just in this draft; you have to be looking out a year or two. But you also have to factor in how full is the gas tank. Or do we need to fill up right now?"

"The fact was, we felt so strongly about the quarterback this year, right?" Fitterer said. "Like, even in our February meetings, where every scout had the same opinion on this guy. It never really changed. It just kind of held strong that way, right? That reinforced that we're doing the right thing."

Fitterer and the scouts thought a certain way in January. A new staff of coaches rolls in in February, and they initially think the same thing. The more they learned, the more sure they became.

They had conviction. 

Makes a lot of sense.  Who knows where we are picking next year and if the picks for Williams or Maye will even be for sale?  If it's a team that needs a QB picking 1 and Williams declares they are not trading that pick.  

[Wanderlai]

I’ll say it…Marty was better. 

[ForJimmy]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

Our quarterback coach would be extremely familiar with Drake Maye.

I think our QB coach also really wanted Stroud.  That doesn't always mean that's the player our GM/HC agree on.  

[mrcompletely11]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

From the pre-draft process article about Young...

 

"The fact was, we felt so strongly about the quarterback this year, right?" Fitterer said. "Like, even in our February meetings, where every scout had the same opinion on this guy. It never really changed. It just kind of held strong that way, right? That reinforced that we're doing the right thing."

Fitterer and the scouts thought a certain way in January. A new staff of coaches rolls in in February, and they initially think the same thing. The more they learned, the more sure they became.

They had conviction. 

Dude, this is my last post on this because its so fuging stupid.  But do you honestly in your heart of hearts think every scout in the building and then every coach all thought Young was the #1 guy from the jump?  That is probably the most retarded thing I have read today on here.  Young isnt some Luck or Lawrence type generational talent. 

[45catfan]

1 minute ago, ForJimmy said:

I get that and I think (not 100%) you were one of the many people saying wait until next year with Stroud, Young, AR, Levis, we thought Penix and McCall would declare as well.  Well we did wait until the following year.  

Last draft. Yup, I was.  A year or two doesn't make it an annual exercise though.  That would be TE, truth be told, which dates back to 2018 for me and until Ickey, since 2013 for an OT.  THAT is an annual exercise.  Again, there's not a ton of underclassmen in this draft as opposed to last year and the few that are the top of the board absolutely will declare.  Williams and Maye are not going back to school. Ewers, maybe, but then you have a slew of Seniors (red shirts, true, 5th year) and graduate students. There is little reason for them to return even if they are eligible for one more season.

[TheCasillas]

2 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Dude, this is my last post on this because its so fuging stupid.  But do you honestly in your heart of hearts think every scout in the building and then every coach all thought Young was the #1 guy from the jump?  That is probably the most retarded thing I have read today on here.  Young isnt some Luck or Lawrence type generational talent. 

You do realize these scouts and staff members watch these kids throughout their entire football career? This includes middle school my man. 
 

the off-season isn’t just the upcoming season. Teams are reviewing footage for players who haven’t got to the college level yet. 

[AU-panther]

20 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Not sure about the depth this year but I would bet dollars to donuts that if young, williams and maye were all in the same class Young would be ranked third.  Not that it means anything other then williams and maye are legit top shelf prospects

Probably so.  The fact that the Bears were willing to trade out of #1 tells you everything you need to know.  

[ForJimmy]

50 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Dude, this is my last post on this because its so fuging stupid.  But do you honestly in your heart of hearts think every scout in the building and then every coach all thought Young was the #1 guy from the jump?  That is probably the most retarded thing I have read today on here.  Young isnt some Luck or Lawrence type generational talent. 

I assume it's implied that a majority of them thought Young was the guy, did a deep dive and confirmed he was their top choice.  I am sure there were some who liked other prospects.  McCown seemed high on Stroud and there were reports about some being high on AR.

[jayboogieman]

1 hour ago, 45catfan said:

That would be TE

There's always Brock Bowers this upcoming draft. Maybe he falls out of the first round. And yeah, I doubt he does.

[45catfan]

3 minutes ago, jayboogieman said:

There's always Brock Bowers this upcoming draft. Maybe he falls out of the first round. And yeah, I doubt he does.

He would have to sustain a bad injury or have an off the field issue to drop like that.  Even if his stats are just mediocre this season, he still won't fall out of the first round.

[OldhamA]

1 hour ago, Mr. Scot said:

From the pre-draft process article about Young...

Old free agents didn't seem to be the vibe. Not after the Panthers and Reich had spent most of the last five years cycling through rentals. The obvious call was to draft one, but picking ninth, there's no guarantee. And while there were some good ones who might be available in 2024 in UNC's Maye and Southern Cal's Caleb Williams, that seemed a little far down the road.

Because as good as Young was, the Bears ended up with the first pick despite having a decent young quarterback in Justin Fields. Their pick might be available. Waiting until next year would be more of a roll of the dice.

So the Panthers turned their thoughts to the now, and how to make now work.

"We've not won a bunch of games in the last few years," Reich said. "So how many years can you go? Can you keep putting off this thing to take your shot and get your guy? And part of the calculus is, do we have enough capital to be patient for another year? And then naturally, as a coach, you know, you're always optimistic. I mean, we're at nine right now. I'm sure I'm not planning on being lower than that next year.

"I mean, everybody knows, you always have to be playing that game. You're not just in this draft; you have to be looking out a year or two. But you also have to factor in how full is the gas tank. Or do we need to fill up right now?"

"The fact was, we felt so strongly about the quarterback this year, right?" Fitterer said. "Like, even in our February meetings, where every scout had the same opinion on this guy. It never really changed. It just kind of held strong that way, right? That reinforced that we're doing the right thing."

Fitterer and the scouts thought a certain way in January. A new staff of coaches rolls in in February, and they initially think the same thing. The more they learned, the more sure they became.

They had conviction. 

So even the HC is on record as saying this isn't a rebuilding year. 

[*FreeFua*]

8 minutes ago, jayboogieman said:

There's always Brock Bowers this upcoming draft. Maybe he falls out of the first round. And yeah, I doubt he does.

Unless he turns into a serial killer between now and the draft he’s going in the 1st round 

[jayboogieman]

2 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

He would have to sustain a bad injury or have an off the field issue to drop like that.  Even if his stats are just mediocre this season, he still won't fall out of the first round.

Yeah, I know. Not only does he catch just about everything, but he's a willing blocker too.